Lawrence Zaeska

Lawrence "Charlie" Zaeska, age 79, of Atwater, died Wednesday, February 28, at Rice Care Center in Willmar.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, March 5, at St. John Lutheran Church in Atwater.  Interment will be in the church cemetery.  Visitation will be 2-4 p.m. Sunday, March 4, at Peterson Brothers Atwater Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Lawrence Fred "Charlie" Zaeska was born on September 30, 1938, in rural Atwater, Minnesota, to Fred and Mildred (Behm) Zaeska. He grew up on the family farm near Atwater and was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church. Charlie entered the U.S. Navy after high school and served from 1956 to 1959 on two aircraft carriers as a jet mechanic.

On June 24, 1961, he was united in marriage to Sharon Schroeder and together they had five children. Charlie worked the family farm, where he milked cows and farmed. He also ran a sawmill for 20 years. He later turned his farmland into Island Falls (Pine) Golf Club.

Charlie built numerous split rock fireplaces including the two in his home and one at the city park in Atwater. He enjoyed working in his garden and raised 300 hills of potatoes. He also enjoyed cooking pulled pork for October Fest, hog roasts, and numerous events for family and friends. He passed down his love of cooking and his secret recipe to his sons. He enjoyed woodworking and built many treasures for his wife and children. He enjoyed playing cribbage and taught many of his grandchildren to play. Charlie especially loved to eat his wife's cooking and baking, and she loved to cook for him. Charlie's faith and church were important to him. He taught Sunday school and loved to talk about the Bible and God.

Charlie is survived by his wife of 56 years: Sharon Zaeska of Willmar; his five children: Brian (Barb) Zaeska of Pennock, and Patti (Rick) Kaiser, Daniel (Jody) Zaeska, Duaine (Renae) Zaeska, and David Zaeska, all of Atwater; 19 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; his siblings: Jerome (Maija) Zaeska, Ramona Werner, and Doris (Roger) Tipka; a brother-in-law: Lewy Angrimson; many nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters: Arlene Wallmow and Janice Angrimson; and two brothers-in-law: Harry Werner and Harold Wallmow.

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